Powder Vessel for Makeup

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a powder vessel for makeup including a container body for storing powder, a coupling member coupled to a top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib, an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body, a dispersion member for allowing the power to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member, and a cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a powder vessel for makeup and,more specifically, to a convenient-to-carry and easy-to-use powdervessel for makeup in which a puff is coupled to a vessel for storingpowder.

BACKGROUND ART

As a general practice, women have been satisfying their desire to have abeautiful appearance by wearing makeup on cheeks, lips, eyebrows and soforth through the use of cosmetics of varying colors. The makeup worn inthe morning tends to be removed or changed little by little as the usertake part in daily activities, at which time a toilet set is needed forremoving or readjusting the makeup.

Conventionally, the makeup has been worn by getting cosmetic powder on apuff with which a vessel is equipped separately. At the time when themakeup is newly worn or readjusted with a toilet article whose vesseland puff are separately provided in this fashion, the user have to placethe powder vessel on a floor and then apply powder on the face bydipping the puff into the powder contained in the vessel with one handwhile holding a mirror with the other hand. This is quite cumbersome andposes a problem in that the powder may be scattered during applicationand may be spilt when the powder vessel is inadvertently overturned.

As a solution to this problem, there has been proposed a powder vesselintegrally combined with a puff. However, this powder vessel has noparticular member for pushing the powder contained in the vessel towardthe puff, thus leaving some powder within the vessel even when thepowder vessel is used up. Furthermore, the powder stored in the powdervessel may be leaked out through the puff while not in use, which leadsto waste of the powder and makes the vessel dirty-looking.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Taking into account the above-noted problems inherent in the prior art,it is an object of the present invention to provide a powder vessel formakeup that can be used and carried with ease through the unification ofa puff with the powder vessel, allows the powder to be readilydischarged under the opening and closing action, i.e., pumping action,of dispensing holes formed through an elastically deformable plugmember, prevents the powder from being leaked out and thus wasted by theclosing action of the dispensing holes when the vessel is not in use,and maintains the vessel clean.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a powdervessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storing powder, thecontainer body having an open top portion; a coupling member coupled tothe top portion of the container body, the coupling member having astopper rib extending along an inner circumference of the couplingmember and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib; anelastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of thecoupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug memberhaving a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to bedispensed from the container body; a dispersion member for allowing thepower dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to beuniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted toenclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug memberagainst removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; and acover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclosethe dispersion member against exposure to the outside.

The container body includes an inner powder bowl of a hemisphericalshape for storing the powder in an easy-to-discharge manner. Thisenables the powder to be smoothly dispensed along a curved surface ofthe inner powder bowl, thus ensuring that the powder vessel can be usedwith ease regardless of the quantity of the powder stored and theinclination angle of the powder vessel used.

The coupling member has an engagement groove into which an end of thedispersion member is fitted. This helps to prevent any occurrence of agap between the dispersion member and the container body, thusinhibiting the powder from leaking an otherwise occurred gap.

The elastically deformable plug member has a diameter greater than aninner diameter of the receiving bore of the coupling member and isforcedly fitted into the receiving bore. This ensures that one end ofeach of the discharge holes is reduced in size to prevent the powderfrom discharging when no external force is applied to the plug memberbut is opened to allow the powder to be dispensed from the containerbody when an external force is exerted on the plug member.

The elastically deformable plug member is formed in a step-like shapecorresponding to a shape of the receiving bore of the coupling member insuch a manner that a part of the plug member is fitted into thereceiving bore and the remaining part of the plug member rests on a topportion of the coupling member.

Advantageous Effects

In accordance with the present invention, a beneficial effect isattained in that a powder vessel for makeup can be used and carried withease through the unification of a puff with the powder vessel, allowsthe powder to be smoothly discharged under the opening and closingaction, i.e., pumping action, of dispensing holes formed through anelastically deformable plug member, prevents the powder from beingleaked out and thus wasted by the closing action of the dispensing holeswhen the vessel is not in use, and maintains the vessel clean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a combined perspective view illustrating the powder vessel inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel illustrated inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an elastically deformable plug memberfitted into a container body, with no external force exerted on the plugmember;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the elastically deformable plug memberfitted into the container body, with an external force exerted on theplug member;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views respectively illustrating examplesof the elastically deformable plug member;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description of apreferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is acombined perspective view illustrating the powder vessel in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view of the powder vessel illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4is a bottom view showing an elastically deformable plug member fittedinto a container body, with no external force exerted on the plugmember. FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the elastically deformable plugmember fitted into the container body, with an external force exerted onthe plug member. FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views respectivelyillustrating examples of the elastically deformable plug member. FIG. 8is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of the powder vessel in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a powder vessel of the present inventionincludes a container body 10 for storing powder, a coupling member 20coupled to the container body 10 and having a receiving bore 21 and astopper rib 22 of a predetermined width, an elastically deformable plugmember 30 fitted into the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20and resting against the stopper rib 22, the plug member 30 having aplurality of discharge holes 31 for allowing the powder to be dischargedfrom the container body 10 under a pumping action, a dispersion member40 for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes 31 ofthe plug member 30 to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, thedispersion member 40 adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plugmember 30 and hold the plug member 30 against removal from the receivingbore 21 of the coupling member 20, and a cover 50 combined with thecoupling member 20 in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member40 against exposure to the outside.

The container body 10 is provided with an internal storage space forstoring the powder and is engaged with to the coupling member 20, whichin turn carries the elastically deformable plug member 30. Such acontainer body 10 optionally includes an inner powder bowl 12 of ahemispherical shape that helps the powder to be dispensed with ease.Forming the container body 10 into a dual vessel type assures an easierdischarge of the powder and improves aesthetic appearance of the powdervessel.

More specifically, the inner powder bowl 12 received within thecontainer body 10 is adapted to contain the powder therein and has a rim13 resting on the top periphery of the container body 10. The innerpowder bowl 12 is preferably of a hemispherical shape to ensure that thepowder can be smoothly dispensed therefrom. Furthermore, the innerpowder bowl 12, which is removably combined with the container body 10,may be optionally employed depending on the quantity of the powder to bestored.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein the innerpowder bowl 12 is removed from the container body 10, an annular sealingmember 14, such as a rubber ring or a packing material, is providedbelow the bottom end of the coupling member 20 or above the top end ofthe container body 10 so that the powder can be inhibited from anyleakage. Namely, the sealing member 14 is provided between the couplingmember 20 and the top end of the container body 10. In this regard, thesealing member 14 may preferably be made of a foamed resin material,such as a sponge, or a rubber ring that can be resiliently compressed toprovide sealing as the container body 10 and the coupling member 20 arecombined together. The sealing member 14 may optionally have an adhesivelayer on the top and/or bottom surface thereof so that the sealingmember 14 can be bonded to one or both of the container body 10 and thecoupling member 20.

The coupling member 20 acts to secure the plug member 30 and thedispersion member 40 to the container body 10 and is threadedly engagedwith the top portion of the container body 10 in such a manner that theinternal storage space of the container body 10 can communicate with theoutside through the coupling member 20. The cover 50 is adapted toenclose the coupling member 20 and removably combined with the couplingmember 20 at its end portion. The coupling member 20 has a step-likeconfiguration for engagement with the container body 10 and the cover50.

Further, the coupling member 20 has a receiving bore 21 and a stopperrib 22 on which the plug member 30 rests. The stopper rib 22 is shapedto support a part of the bottom surface of the plug member 30, while thereceiving bore 21 is adapted to partially receive the plug member 30. Inthis regard, the plug member 30 has a size somewhat greater than that ofthe receiving bore 21 so that the plug member 30 can be forcedly fittedinto the receiving bore 21.

As an alternative embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, the receiving bore 21may be in a tapering shape to have a diameter gradually reducing fromthe top toward the bottom. Under a state that the plug member 30 isfitted into the receiving bore 21, the lower ends of the discharge holes31 of the plug member 30 remain closed and prevent any discharge of thepowder if no external force is applied to the plug member 30. If anexternal force is exerted on the plug member 30, however, the lower endsof the discharge holes 31 are opened to allow the powder within thecontainer body 10 to be dispensed to the outside.

In addition, the coupling member 20 is provided with an engagementgroove 23 into which the lower end of the dispersion member 40 isfitted. In other words, the dispersion member 40 encloses the plugmember 30 and is then inserted into the engagement groove 23 of thecoupling member 20 at its lower end, thus eliminating any gap whichwould otherwise be created between the coupling member 20 and thedispersion member 40 and would be a cause of powder leakage.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a reinforcing portion 24is further provided on the part of the coupling member 20 at which thedispersion member 40 is engaged with the engagement groove 23. Thereinforcing portion 24 firmly holds the dispersion member 40, thusensuring that the coupling member 20 and the dispersion member 40 arecombined together in such a manner as to prevent any leakage of thepowder dispensed through the plug member 30 therebetween.

Specifically, the reinforcing portion 24 is provided with a plurality ofradially outwardly protruding teeth 25 which may be a triangular, roundor other shape. The teeth are disposed at a predetermined interval in acircumferential direction and have pointed ends that serve to firmlyretain the dispersion member 40 against any inadvertent separation fromthe reinforcing portion 24.

The plug member 30 is generally comprised of a material for use in apuff, e.g., a sponge, and fitted into the receiving bore 21 of thecoupling member 20. Further, the plug member 30 is provided with aplurality of discharge holes 31 that allows the powder to be dispensedfrom the container body 10 to the outside.

The plug member 30 may be formed in many different shapes. In thepresent embodiment, the plug member 30 is either a forced-fit typecylinder as depicted in FIG. 6 or a snug-fit type one having a portionwhose size is equal to that of the receiving bore 21 of the couplingmember 20.

The plug member 30 shown in FIG. 6 has an outer diameter greater thanthe inner diameter of the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20and is therefore forcedly fitted into the receiving bore 21. Thisassures that the lower ends of the discharge holes 31 of the plug member30 is reduced to suppress any discharge of the powder from the containerbody 10, when no external force is applied to the plug member 30, but isopened or enlarged to allow the powder to be dispensed, if an externalforce is exerted on the plug member 30.

Since the plug member 30 has an outer diameter greater than the innerdiameter of the receiving bore 21, a part of the plug member 30 iscompressed into the same diameter as that of the receiving bore 21 andthe remaining part thereof is expanded into a sector-like shape in itscross-section at the time when the plug member 30 is forcedly fittedinto the receiving bore 21. This means that the discharge holes 31varies in their shape depending on whether the powder vessel is in useor not.

More specifically, at the time when the powder vessel is not in use andno external force is exerted on the plug member 30, the discharge holes31 of the plug member 30 as viewed from the bottom are closed asillustrated in FIG. 4, thus preventing the powder stored in thecontainer body 10 from any discharge. In the event that the powdervessel is used and an external force is applied to the plug member 30,the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 as viewed from the bottomare restored into their original shape as illustrated in FIG. 5 andprovide passageways through which the powder is dispensed from thecontainer body 10.

Such an opening and closing operation of the discharge holes 31 resultsin a pumping action whereby the powder in the container body 10 is drawnto the outside, thereby facilitating the discharge of the powder.

On the other hand, in the case that the plug member 30 is formed into astep-like shape corresponding to the inner and outer diameters of thecoupling member 20 as illustrated in FIG. 7, a part of the plug member30 is fitted into the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20 andthe remaining part thereof rests on the top portion of the couplingmember 20.

The discharge holes 31 are comprised of a plurality of through-holespenetrating the plug member 30 whose shape and size may be arbitrarilydetermined. In other words, the discharge holes 31 may includethrough-holes of a uniform diameter disposed concentrically orirregularly. Alternatively, the discharge holes 31 may have varyingdiameters which become smaller from the center toward the periphery ofthe plug member 30 and vice versa.

The dispersion member 40 allows the power dispensed through thedischarge holes 31 of the plug member 30 to be uniformly dispersed tothe outside. The dispersion member 40 is adapted to enclose an outerportion of the plug member 30 and is fitted at its lower end into theengagement groove 23 formed on the outer surface of the coupling member20.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower end of thedispersion member 40 fixedly secured to the reinforcing portion 24 andthe engagement groove 23 is tougher and more resilient than other partsof the dispersion member 40 so that the dispersion member 40 can befitted to the coupling member 20 and kept in place by the teeth 25 withenhanced durability.

The cover 50 encloses the upper portion of the dispersion member 40against any exposure to the outside while the powder vessel is not inuse, at which time the lower end of the cover 50 is combined with theouter surface of the coupling member 20.

Description will now be given to a method of using the powder vessel inaccordance with the present invention.

First of all, the cover 50 is removed from the coupling member 20 andthe container body 10 is inclined at a desired angle so that thedispersion member 40 can face the bodily part of the user.

Thus, the powder in the container body 10 flows downwards along thecurved surface of the inner powder bowl 12. Since the discharge holes 31of the plug member 30 are reduced in size and kept closed in thiscondition, no powder is dispensed through the discharge holes 31.

Subsequently, if the user brings the powder vessel into contact with hisor her bodily part and presses the former against the latter, theelastically deformable plug member 30 is deformed by the externalpressing force, in response to which the discharge holes 31 are restoredinto their original shape and opened, thus allowing the powder to bedispensed through the discharge holes 31 and then discharged to theoutside through the dispersion member 40 in a fine powdery form.

As the pressing operation of the plug member 30 is repeatedly conductedby the user, a suitable amount of powder is continuously discharged fromthe powder vessel. At the end of use of the powder vessel, the cover 50is combined with the coupling member 20.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes ormodifications may be made thereto within the scope of the inventiondefined by the appended claims.

1. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storingpowder, the container body having an open top portion; a coupling membercoupled to the top portion of the container body, the coupling memberhaving a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of thecoupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib; anelastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of thecoupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug memberhaving a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to bedispensed from the container body; a dispersion member for allowing thepower dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to beuniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted toenclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug memberagainst removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; and acover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclosethe dispersion member against exposure to the outside.
 2. The powdervessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the elasticallydeformable plug member has a diameter greater than an inner diameter ofthe receiving bore of the coupling member and is forcedly fitted intothe receiving bore, whereby one end of each of the discharge holes isreduced in size to prevent the powder from discharging when no externalforce is applied to the plug member but is opened to allow the powder tobe dispensed from the container body when an external force is exertedon the plug member.
 3. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim1, wherein the elastically deformable plug member is formed in astep-like shape corresponding to a shape of the receiving bore of thecoupling member in such a manner that a part of the plug member isfitted into the receiving bore and the remaining part of the plug memberrests on a top portion of the coupling member.
 4. The powder vessel formakeup as recited in claim 2, wherein the discharge holes of theelastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.
 5. Thepowder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 2, wherein the dischargeholes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameterschanging from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.
 6. Thepowder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the couplingmember has an engagement groove into which an end of the dispersionmember is fitted.
 7. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 6,wherein the coupling member is provided with an outwardly protrudingreinforcing portion at above the engagement groove.
 8. The powder vesselfor makeup as recited in claim 7, wherein the reinforcing portion has aplurality of teeth of a triangular configuration with pointed endsoriented outwardly.
 9. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim1, wherein the container body includes an inner powder bowl for storingthe powder in an easy-to-discharge manner.
 10. The powder vessel formakeup as recited in claim 9, wherein the inner powder bowl is of ahemispherical shape.
 11. The powder vessel for makeup as recited inclaim 1, further comprising an annular sealing member for preventing anyleakage of the powder, the sealing member provided between the containerbody and the coupling member.
 12. The powder vessel for makeup asrecited in claim 11, wherein the sealing member is made of foamed resinmaterials including a sponge.
 13. A powder vessel for makeup comprising:a container body for storing powder, the container body having an opentop portion; a coupling member coupled to the top portion of thecontainer body, the coupling member having a stopper rib extending alongan inner circumference of the coupling member and a receiving boreprovided above the stopper rib; an elastically deformable plug memberfitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and restingagainst the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of dischargeholes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body; adispersion member for allowing the power dispensed through the dischargeholes of the plug member to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, thedispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug memberand hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of thecoupling member; and a cover combined with the coupling member in such amanner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to theoutside, wherein the elastically deformable plug member has a diametergreater than an inner diameter of the receiving bore of the couplingmember and is forcedly fitted into the receiving bore, whereby one endof each of the discharge holes is reduced in size to prevent the powderfrom discharging when no external force is applied to the plug memberbut is opened to allow the powder to be dispensed from the containerbody when an external force is exerted on the plug member.
 14. Thepowder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 13, wherein the dischargeholes of the elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.15. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 13, wherein thedischarge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have differentdiameters changing from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.16. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storingpowder, the container body having an open top portion; a coupling membercoupled to the top portion of the container body, the coupling memberhaving a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of thecoupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib; anelastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of thecoupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug memberhaving a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to bedispensed from the container body; a dispersion member for allowing thepower dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to beuniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted toenclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug memberagainst removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; and acover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclosethe dispersion member against exposure to the outside, wherein theelastically deformable plug member is formed in a step-like shapecorresponding to a shape of the receiving bore of the coupling member insuch a manner that a part of the plug member is fitted into thereceiving bore and the remaining part of the plug member rests on a topportion of the coupling member.
 17. The powder vessel for makeup asrecited in claim 16, wherein the discharge holes of the elasticallydeformable plug member have a uniform diameter.
 18. The powder vesselfor makeup as recited in claim 16, wherein the discharge holes of theelastically deformable plug member have different diameters changingfrom a center toward a periphery of the plug member.
 19. A powder vesselfor makeup comprising: a container body including an inner powder bowlfor storing powder in an easy-to-discharge manner; a coupling membercoupled to a top portion of the container body, the coupling memberhaving a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of thecoupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib; anelastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of thecoupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug memberhaving a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to bedispensed from the container body; a dispersion member for allowing thepower dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to beuniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted toenclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug memberagainst removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; and acover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclosethe dispersion member against exposure to the outside.
 20. The powdervessel for makeup as recited in claim 19, wherein the discharge holes ofthe elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.
 21. Thepowder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 19, wherein the dischargeholes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameterschanging from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.